BT Global Challenge Update

by Event Media on 3 Apr 2001 BT Global Challenge Daily Update Leg 5, Day 23

Fleet in for a rough 24 hours as storm builds in the Southern Ocean

With strong gales forecast for today and heavy storms predicted for later in the week the Southern Ocean is finally living up to its fierce reputation. LG FLATRON has further extended its lead to 188 miles as all yachts lost miles to the leader. At the rear of the fleet VERITAS remains in touch with TeamSpirIT as the Will Carnegie skippered yacht attempts to claw back precious miles on the fleet.

Weather report
Wind: Southwest force 8
Swell: Very rough
Barometric Pressure: 997mb
Air Temperature: 4°C - 39°F
Sea Temperature: 8°C - 46°F

Forecast
Today the fleet can expect Southwest wind gale force eight or severe gale force nine at first decreasing to force five or six later. Overnight the secondary low pressure that brought lighter more variable wind yesterday moved away to the Southeast. The lighter wind, at times down to a force three or four, was quickly replaced by strong to gale force west to Northwest wind that at times reached severe gale force nine as a front arrived bringing heavy rain squalls and very unpleasant conditions.

The front has left the fleet sailing in a cold south-westerly airstream with wintry showers and hailstorms. Blowing fiercely now, the wind should soon drop to a more manageable force five or six by the end of the day but the large waves will remain for some time.

As high pressure pushes in conditions should progressively improve tomorrow and the wind drop considerably. The high is predicted to be centred at about 46 degrees south 70 east by midnight tomorrow and there is a real chance that the fleet will become temporarily becalmed as the high pressure passes overhead. The southwest wind will force the fleet north into the path of this high making it hard to escape until the wind backs to the west and possibly northwest late tomorrow.

Latest Race Update
LG FLATRON have extended their lead to 188 miles as they got the new more favourable wind first. As a result all the fleet lost miles to the leaders though Norwich Union had a much more successful day than any of the others in the chasing pack. Despite losing 12 miles to LG FLATRON they overtook both Isle of Man and Logica to move up into fifth place.

Quadstone lost 43 miles and although they held onto third place the cushion between them and Save the Children has been reduced to a mere five miles. Last in the overall standings, with Norwich Union just a few points above them, these two are sailing particularly well - belying their overall positions.

With the exception of Norwich Union, and of course LG FLATRON, the back of the fleet did better than the front. Spirit of Hong Kong won their tussle with TeamSpirIT and opened a lead of 4 miles although these two seem to be so closely matched the gap will no doubt close again. VERITAS still trail by 19 miles and since they closed the gap to such a small margin they seem to be having difficulty getting any closer. However conditions over the next 24 to 36 hours should favour the more southerly yachts, which should see Norwich Union and VERITAS make some substantial gains at the expense of their more northerly colleagues.

Quotes from the Fleet
Manley Hopkinson, skipper, Olympic Group:

The sailing has been characteristically hard again with constant Force 7's gusting Force Lots (about 48 knots). The seas have also joined the fray and are keen not to be left out of the party. We have had some spectacular leaps and slams all night. Absolute bone juddering landings in troughs that have just appeared. There are no backs to some of these waves. The helmsman does not stand a chance of avoiding them. I found it particularly hard to get to sleep last night as with each massive drop and incredible landing I awaited calls of damage to crew or boat. Both have been standing up incredibly well considering the shock loading.

Race Positions
As at 0800 GMT (distance to leader in miles in miles)

1. LG FLATRON

2. BP Explorer (188)

3. Quadstone (208)

4. Save the Children (213)

5. Norwich Union (237)

6. Logica (244)

7. Isle of Man (249)

8. Compaq NonStop (270)

9. Olympic Group (277)

10. Spirit of Hong Kong (303)

11. TeamSpirIT (307)

12. VERITAS (326)